Stations Must Notify UTC Before OperatingThe FCC has announced that the Office of Management and Budget has approved, for 3 years, the information-collection requirement of the Commission's March 29 Report and Order (R&O) that spelled out Amateur Radio service rules for the two new bands -- 630 meters (472-479 kHz) and 2200 meters (135.7-137.8 kHz). Notice of the action appeared in the September 15 edition of the Federal Register. Before using either band, stations must notify the Utilities Technology Council (UTC) that they plan to do so. If UTC does not respond within 30 days, they may commence operation.On March 27, 2017, the FCC adopted the 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-12) implementation Report and Order (ET Docket 15-99), amending its Amateur Radio rules to -- in the FCC's words -- "provide for frequency-sharing requirements" in the two bands. Section 97.313(g)(2) of the new rules requires that, prior to starting operation in either band, radio amateurs must notify UTC that they intend to operate by submitting their call signs, the intended band(s) of operation, and the coordinates of their antenna's fixed location. The new rules do not permit any mobile operation."Amateur stations will be permitted to commence operations after a 30-day period, unless UTC notifies the station that its fixed location is located within 1 kilometer of Power Line Carrier (PLC) systems operating on the same or overlapping frequencies," the FCC said. PLC systems are unlicensed. "This notification process will ensure that amateur stations seeking to operate [on 630 or 2200 meters] are located beyond a minimum separation distance from PLC transmission lines, which will help ensure the compatibility and coexistence of amateur and PLC operations, and promote shared use of the bands."ARRL 630-Meter Experiment Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR, advised radio amateurs who anticipate using either band to read the Federal Register posting "to understand frequencies, power limitations, and operating modes permitted." Experimental Group participant Ed Cole, KL7UW, has been operating as WD2XSH/45 with 100 W into a 43 Ã— 122-foot base-loaded inverted L, achieving about 3 W ERP. In a message to the Topband Reflector, Eric Tichansky, NO3M, noted that during his operations as part of the ARRL Experimental Group and with his own FCC Part 5 Experimental license, he enjoyed "many cross-country QSOs at QRP power levels" using a 67-foot top-loaded vertical that shares the radial field for his 160-meter antenna. The Antennas by N6LF website offers more information.

Granite State Phone Net has returned to air Mon - Fri 3973 +- khz @ 8:00p

The Granite State Phone Net has returned to air after many years’ hiatus. The GSPN is primarily an NTS Section Traffic net providing an outlet for traffic coming into the Section from VTNH at 7p, 1RN early at 7:45p and NTSD. Traffic going to region from the GSPN will be taken to 1RN late at 9:30p. Thru traffic (points outside of New England) brought to GSPN will be sent later that evening via NTSD or the following day via 1RN cycle 2 phone.

During normal operations, all stations with or without traffic are encouraged to check in. The Net runs 5 nights a week, Monday thru Friday.

We are looking for those interested in acting as NCS for 1 evening a week. If interested, please contact the NH Section Traffic Manager, K1UAF at jgotthartd@earthlink.net

NH ARRL's new Section Traffic Manager

Hello NH Section Amateur Radio operators,

I am writing to announce that John Gotthardt, K1UAF of Wolfeboro is the new Section Traffic Manager (STM) for NH.

John takes over for Joe Burke, W1INC who is stepping down due to increased responsibilities with his elevated job position in Concord. Joe has served the Section well for many years and has brought traffic handling and training to an much elevated level. Joe will remain in his roles as Official Observer and Volunteer Examiner.

K1UAF is not new to traffic handling but has worked with W1INC as the Assistant Traffic Manager and involved in many NH and NTS traffic nets.

John brings much traffic and emergency communication experience to the position. He is a member of the Central NH Amateur Radio Club (CNHARC), the Lakes Region Repeater Association (LRRA) and Capital Area Repeater Society (CARS). John serves as an Assistant Emergency Coordinator with the Central NH ARES group. His role as AEC for Central and now STM will bridge together nicely the NTS and ARES component of the NH ARRL Field Organization.

NH Amateur Radio is fortunate to have a man of John’s experience in leadership…Please welcome him to the position of NH’s Section Traffic Manager.

Amateur Radio Parity Act Speeds to US House Passage, Heads to US Senate

Just 10 days after being introduced in the 115th Congress, the 2017 Amateur Radio Parity Act legislation, H.R. 555, passed the US House of Representatives on unanimous consent under a suspension of House rules. The bill's language is identical to that of the 2015 measure, H.R. 1301, which won House approval late last summer after attracting 126 cosponsors, but failed to clear the US Senate last fall as the 114th Congress wound down. The new bill, again sponsored by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), was launched on January 13 with initial cosponsorship by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Rep. Greg Walden, W7EQI (R-OR), who chairs the influential House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

"The grassroots effort of Amateur Radio operators across this nation in support of the Amateur Radio Parity Act has been remarkable, nothing like we have ever seen before," ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, said. "To all hams, keep going! Now is the time to charge forward with that same momentum to the Senate. We can do it!" The bill arrives in the US Senate with ample time in which to garner its approval through an education campaign."We're very encouraged by the speed with which this bill made it through the House. It's amazing that this happened," said ARRL Hudson Division Director Mike Lisenco, N2YBB, who has been at the forefront of the legislative initiative. "With the help of ARRL members, we believe we can get this done," Lisenco continued. "We came within a hair's breadth last time, with [thousands of] e-mails to members of both houses of Congress, as well as letters and telephone calls. Member participation in this final push is critical."H.R. 555 calls on the FCC to establish rules prohibiting the application of deed restrictions that preclude Amateur Radio communications on their face or as applied. Deed restrictions would have to impose the minimum practicable restriction on Amateur Radio communications to accomplish the lawful purposes of homeowners associations seeking to enforce the restriction.

Beginning December 7th, the New Hampshire Slow Net is returning to air!

if you want to improve your CW skills join uson Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7:15 PM local.The CW speed runs between 5 to 10 WPM. So check inon 3.539 khz in the 80 Meter band, and let's practice CW and traffic handling skills.A contest is also in the future on the NHSN, grand prize an HT radio. More details to come.73Joe W1INCNH ARRL SECTION TRAFFIC MANAGER

New young Ham Radio Operators Needed

It’s time for us as ham radio operators to get the ball rolling to get young people involved in our hobby.Here is your chance to make that happen. Sponsor a youth for only $35.00. This covers the cost of the Tech study manual and the VE test fee. I realize that not all of us are able to afford that kind of money, but I am sure we all know friends who are aware of our love for Ham Radio and would like to help our cause.Get your Name and call connected to a youth as sponsor. Maybe we can get the ARRL to start a youth/ sponsor honor roll in our QST magazine.I am challenging all clubs here in NH and throughout the United States.Let’s get it done!Greg FitchKB1EZJPresident W1MWVWhite Mountain Amateur Radio ClubPO Box 1932Conway, NH 03818603-759-6671

Hello NH Radio Amateurs

The Amateur Radio we know today owes its existence primarily to the lobbying efforts by the ARRL in the early part of the 20th century. After the creation of the Amateur Radio Service by the Federal Radio Commission (predecessor to the FCC), the US government quickly realized how valuable a resource Amateur Radio is to the public, especially during emergencies. In the Northeast in 1936, nearly 200 people lost their lives during February floods that inundated most towns where major rivers flowed and without the services of the Amateur Radio operator, according to League historian Clinton DeSoto, fatalities would have been much greater.

As was the case in 1936 and since then, Amateurs have been engaged in relaying messages and providing communication when conventional means fail during times of emergencies. It is important to realize this resource is a major reason our government continues to acknowledge and recognize the need for the Amateur Radio Service. As it did in the early part of the 20th century, the League today continues to advocate for the Amateur Radio Service and our continued use of the RF spectrum.

If you are new to Amateur Radio (or even a seasoned operator), and looking for a new challenge, why not join the over 200 NH Amateurs currently using their radio skills with the Amateur Radio Emergency Service also known as ARES. ARES operators are “Radio Minutemen” who make their stations available for public service events and during times of emergencies. Typically, ARES groups meet together once a month and most have weekly on air meetings to discuss various aspects of emergency communications and message handling. These activities help hone their skills for the time when they may be called to serve during an emergency.

NH has 12 ARES groups, roughly divided up by county. Each group is led by an Emergency Coordinator (EC). Each EC may have an Assistant Emergency Coordinator (AEC) whose focus may be on specified tasks within the group. An Amateur Radio license and willingness to participate are the usual prerequisites to join. A listing of the ARES group nearest you can be found at the NH ARES web site www.nh-ares.org

Now is a great time to become actively involved. NH ARES needs you! Go to www.nh-ares.org and click on the NH ARES needs you link, fill out the application and the EC in your area will contact you. If you have questions feel free to contact the Section Manager, email is k1pjs@arrl.org or you can contact the Section Emergency Coordinator, Wayne Santos, N1CKM. His email is n1ckm78sec@gmail.com 73 Peter Stohrer, K1PJS NH Section Manager